Khalid Al Qasimi: Crown Prince and fashion designer, 39, dies 'unexpectedly' at London home
A statement on the Qasimi website described Al Qasimi, the son of the ruler of Sharjah, as a 'great philosopher and artist'.
Wednesday 3 July 2019 13:24, UK
Fashion designer Khalid Al Qasimi - a Crown Prince and son of the ruler of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) - has died at his London home aged 39.
The Metropolitan Police revealed that his death on Monday 1 July was being treated as "unexplained".
It said officers were called by London Ambulance Service to a property in Knightsbridge just after 10.30am.
In a statement, the Met Police said: "Officers attended and a man in his late 30s was found deceased inside the property.
"The death is currently being treated as unexplained. No arrests have been made, enquiries continue.
"A post-mortem examination carried out on Tuesday, 2 July proved inconclusive; we await the result of further tests."
The designer moved to the UK from the UAE when he was 9-years-old and he studied architecture and fashion design at Central Saint Martins.
In 2016, he founded an eponymous brand, showing collections at London and Paris Fashion weeks.
A statement on the Qasimi website described his death as "unexpected".
The post read: "Khalid was praised for his tenacious yet sensitive exploration of social-political issues, particularly pertaining to the Middle East and its sometimes strained relationship with the West, a subject very close to his heart and upbringing.
"His goal was to create 'a world of beautifully crafted products infused with cultural, social and political undertones to inform and inspire'.
"The design world has lost a great philosopher and artist."
Prince Fahad Al Saud of Saudi Arabia said: "This is so sad, I loved his work. Rest in power."
On Twitter, British ambassador to the UAE Patrick Moody offered his "deepest condolences" to the family.
Photographer Mariano Vivanco has also paid tribute on social media, calling him "my angel".
Three days of mourning have been announced in the UAE, where the designer was laid to rest on Wednesday morning in Sharjah.
His father, Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi was among the mourners as funeral prayers were held at the King Faisal Mosque.
Khalid Al Qasimi was the brother of Sheikh Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, who died from a heroin overdose in 1999.